By Anetha Sivananthan and Alex Diggins
November 29 2019, 14.25
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An armed terrorist was shot dead by police on London Bridge after heroic office workers wrestled him to the ground.
The suspect reportedly stabbed a number of people before he was confronted by brave passers-by, who pinned him to the pavement.
Social media footage, taken from a bus crossing the bridge, reveals a bystander seize a knife from the man following a scuffle with several other people.
One man, dressed in a smart suit and tie, is seen frantically ushering people away from the scene while holding the long-bladed zombie style knife.
Police firearms officers then moved in and shot the man, who had a hoax explosive device strapped to his torso. He died at the scene.
“I want to pay tribute to the extraordinary bravery of the members of the public who intervened to protect the lives of others,” said prime minister Boris Johnson.
“They represent the very best of our country and I thank them on behalf of all of us. This country will never be cowed, divided or intimidated by this sort of attack and our British values will prevail.”
The police have published a request for the public and media to send any images or footage taken at the scene to this website.
Assistant Met Police commissioner Neil Basu said: “I can confirm at this time we believe a device that was strapped to the body of the suspect is a hoax explosive device.
“As you know due to the nature of the incident, we responded as though this was terrorist related. I am now in a position to confirm that it has been declared a terrorist incident. We are working jointly with the City of London police as we continue to respond.
Mayor Sadiq Khan urged Londoners to stand resolute following the incident.
“I remain in close contact with the Metropolitan Police and am being kept updated with events,” said London mayor Sadiq Khan.
“We must – and we will – stay resolute in our determination to stand strong and united in the face of terror. Those who seek to attack us and divide us will never succeed.”
Eyewitnesses reported a number of gun shots and claimed they saw a number of injured people being carried away from the bridge.
“All of a sudden were saw police cars and then I heard two gun shots and then I heard lots more gun shots and people running,” said eyewitness Einer Orn. “There were lots of people on the bridge and they were all running.”
Lori Marechal and her friend Victoria Odobeski were travelling by taxi into the City from the south side of the Bridge when they saw people streaming towards them.
Their taxi was brought to a halt by a police car pulling in front.
“Then we heard gunshots,” says Ms Marechal. “We heard four or five. They intensified, like fireworks.”
It is the second time that Ms Marechal has been caught up in an incident at London Bridge – she narrowly missed the Borough Market attack in June 2017 which left eight people dead.
“At the beginning, we were walking,” says Ms Odobeski. “But then someone said there was a bomb – and so we started running.”
Ms Odobeski says, “It was scary. But we’re safe. We’re lucky.”
In 2017 eight people were murdered by three terrorists, who were all shot and killed by police, in a terror attack on London Bridge and the adjacent Borough Market.
Police were called at 1:58pm to a stabbing at premises near to London Bridge.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 29, 2019
Emergency services attended, including officers from the Met and @CityPolice.
A man has been detained by police. We believe a number of people have been injured. Further info to follow.
Trains are no longer stopping at London Bridge and all emergency services are on the scene, with the London Ambulance Service declaring a major incident.
A statement on Twitter said: “We have now declared a major incident and have a number of crews at the scene in London Bridge. We will share more information as soon as we have it.”
The Met Police’s counter terrorism and specialist firearms unit arrived on the scene with bomb sniffer dogs, shortly after 3pm.
Prime minister Boris Johnson broke off General Election campaigning and returned to Downing Street, where he is expected to chair a meetting
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn added: “Shocking reports from London Bridge. My thoughts are with those caught up in the incident. Thank you to the police and emergency services who are responding.”
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson added: “Clearly, we don’t know the exact details of what has happened, and my thoughts are with everybody who has been caught up in that incident in whatever way.
“Including, of course, the brave police who are dealing with it with professionalism and in the way in which they do become the first responders in these difficult times.”
“Clearly, we don’t know the exact details of what has happened, and my thoughts are with everybody who has been caught up in that incident in whatever way.
“Including, of course, the brave police who are dealing with it with professionalism and in the way in which they do become the first responders in these difficult times.”
